Window leaks

[stu1965]

A good tropical storm (ETA) came through here last night (and still raining as I post)....it appears one of my windows is leaking, saturating a brand new mattress.  My first inclination is from the window seals, but I really won't be able to do a full investigation until this weekend.

What should I be looking for? (window or otherwise)

[Merlin]

For sure check the window seal, but also look higher. There have been reports of leaking clearance lights or roof seams that get the front wet in various places. Too bad you can't investigate while it's raining. I could be tough to track down once it dries out.

Paging @FastEddieB . Did you get your leak diagnosed and stopped. Sounded similar to this one.

[Pinstriper]

Merlin is right, look high, as water will follow gravity, including what seems to be sideways.

ITOH with high winds like a tropical storm, all bets are off because rain is falling sideways and wind is strong enough to move water upward against a seal that was never a problem before.

In future, no matter where you find the leak, consider putting some sort of tape on the window seals in advance of a storm. Even blue painter's tape will be enough to fight wind-blown rain and will be easy to remove later without damaging paint or leaving a bunch of schmutz behind.

[stu1965]

Thank you guys. Totally understand the 'in a storm all bets are off', but I think we had a little leak prior to the storm, and I brushed it off because I thought my wife didn't close the window right. I was out there in the middle of the night in the middle of the storm trying to cover it, and chose gaffing tape (with a heavy leaf bag) so as not to leave some sticky crap on the walls, and of course that was a fail, and I was getting drenched and could barely see.  . The good news is that my fantastic fan install produced no leaks, and replacing the bathroom outside vent cover took care of the water coming in from the old cracked one.

I'm going to attempt to simulate with the hose next week. We're off to go camping this weekend about an hour north on the Chassahowitzka River. No rain in the forecast 

Double points for the 'shmutz' reference.

[Cajun]

I had a leak, front passenger side, it wasn't the window it was coming from the top of the RV where the seal is. Water was leaking down through the wall, it looked like the window but wasn't. I did a complete sealant removal and reseal. I did a better job then the factory on the seal job. It was pretty easy to remove the sealant and replace, well worth it.

@stu1965, I wonder if you have polyurethane or Dicor sealant on the top seal?  I had polyurethane sealant around the top of my RV and not Dicor. I hope it's just the window and if it is check the screws they can leak.

[stu1965]

I had a leak, front passenger side, it wasn't the window it was coming from the top of the RV where the seal is. Water was leaking down through the wall, it looked like the window but wasn't. I did a complete sealant removal and reseal. I did a better job then the factory on the seal job. It was pretty easy to remove the sealant and replace, well worth it.

@stu1965, I wonder if you have polyurethane or Dicor sealant on the top seal?  I had polyurethane sealant around the top of my RV and not Dicor. I hope it's just the window and if it is check the screws they can leak.

Ill be getting up there this week, or weekend. Daylight savings time is killing my after work time. I was camping this weekend, had a smidge of rain, and thus a smidge of leaking. I do think its the roof. Have plenty of self leveling dicor here. Scrape scrape scrape for me !

[GrampaKilt]

It seems to me, Tuttle never quite figured out how to connect a convex aluminum roof to a flat radius front. It's definitely a hack job, and a source of leaks for me. I suspected the problem was between roof, side wall and front radius transition where the trim was not/no longer tight to the roof. Anyhoo, no more leaks since caulking with Proflex. Perhaps it bears repeating--joints ought to be cleaned before caulking. Do not use paint thinners, as they leave a film. For painted surfaces, rubbing alcohol is my goto. GK

[Cajun]

I had a leak, front passenger side, it wasn't the window it was coming from the top of the RV where the seal is. Water was leaking down through the wall, it looked like the window but wasn't. I did a complete sealant removal and reseal. I did a better job then the factory on the seal job. It was pretty easy to remove the sealant and replace, well worth it.

@stu1965, I wonder if you have polyurethane or Dicor sealant on the top seal?  I had polyurethane sealant around the top of my RV and not Dicor. I hope it's just the window and if it is check the screws they can leak.

Ill be getting up there this week, or weekend. Daylight savings time is killing my after work time. I was camping this weekend, had a smidge of rain, and thus a smidge of leaking. I do think its the roof. Have plenty of self leveling dicor here. Scrape scrape scrape for me !

Once I got the heavy stuff off I used a wire wheel on my drill to remove all the leftover stuff. Using a wire wheel was really fast and left the aluminum roof scuffed which made the sealant stick a lot better. Also, I painted the roof with a reflecting coating (Link below) not cheap but worth it. I also coated the new sealant with the coating which protects it from the sun. When climbing on the roof in the summer the aluminum was so hot it would burn my hands, once coated the roof stayed cool even in 100 degree weather.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KIJ4U6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Chappy133]

My side leaked at the clearance light.  Wife's leaked when the window was open.  Resealed the clearance lights with clear silicone.  Took the DW window off and resealed the top edge of the window seal.  Both leaks are currently gone.  Had a leak when driving in the rain on the front and resealed the orbital seam and solved that one too.  Happy Trails!

[nhlakes]

Sucks that you guys have had a few leaks, but the fact that leaks can occur, and potentially be un-noticed for months without disastrous results is the best thing about Livin Lites. 

[GrampaKilt]

...be un-noticed for months without disastrous results is the best thing about Livin Lites.

Ha, months? How about years!! I concur GK

[Jonathan]

That is precisely the reason why I am holding out for a Livin' Lite

Cheers!

[Jonathan]

It seems to me, Tuttle never quite figured out how to connect a convex aluminum roof to a flat radius front. It's definitely a hack job, and a source of leaks for me. I suspected the problem was between roof, side wall and front radius transition where the trim was not/no longer tight to the roof. Anyhoo, no more leaks since caulking with Proflex. Perhaps it bears repeating--joints ought to be cleaned before caulking. Do not use paint thinners, as they leave a film. For painted surfaces, rubbing alcohol is my goto. GK

Agreed, There are impurities in paint thinner and brush cleaner. 

Is Acetone too harsh for coated metal?  Denatured Alcohol?  That stuff is pure as newly fallen snow.

[GrampaKilt]

I use acetone to clean tile/stone/glazed tub joints, glass, unpainted metal and certain plastics that don't dissolve in the chemical. Denatured alcohol is a strangely named US product that has been cut with methanol making it unnatural I suppose...and undrinkable for a certain segment of the population. It's near equivalent in Canada is Methyl Hydrate. I've never considered using it for cleaning since it means fondue fuel to me plus keeps windshield washer fluid from freezing up here in the Great White North. I'd be interested to know of cleaning uses, if any. GK

[stu1965]

when I took out the fan, I cleaned with mineral spirits. Should I be using something else, or thats fine? (It worked, lol)